June 18, 2023 Message Big Idea The early Church in Jerusalem experienced escalating opposition until it finally boiled over into great persecution. Yet, this did not yield its intended consequences. In fact, God’s people stayed on mission! They were emboldened and sent out, bridging relational and racial divides. This displayed God’s power in new ways, bringing more to know Jesus. According to God’s …
June 4, 2023 Message Big Idea In this week’s reading, we observe the challenges that accompanied meteoric growth within the Jerusalem church. As a healthy organization, the early church experienced growth in number, need and diversity. Yet, this also manifested new problems to be addressed. In response, the apostles listened and took advantage of this divine opportunity by expanding leadership, sharing culture, and …
May 28, 2023 Message Big Idea The early Church faced great external opposition which sought to stifle it at every turn. However, it was internal failure which placed the movement at greatest risk! The troubling account of Ananias and Sapphira reminds us of the constant duplicity within the human heart. It can lead us to discount the threat of spiritual attack, minimize God’s …
May 21, 2023 Message Big Idea When Jesus was put on trial before his crucifixion, he was brought before a group called the Sanhedrin (Matt 27:12). This was the highest governing body for all Jewish people. In Acts chapter 4, we meet the same group, but now Peter and John are on the hot seat! They are ready with all …
Weekly Reading Plan Acts is a long book, and we won’t be able to study every verse of it during each of these sessions. This reading plan will help you familiarize yourself with the entirety of the book so that you can dig more deeply into God’s Word. This week, use this reading Acts 15-21. We are peeking ahead and …
May 14, 2023 Message Big Idea There is more than one way to approach Jesus. Some approach arrogantly. Some do so casually. And some even approach him indifferently. So, when a desperate Father and a sickly woman come to him vulnerably, faithfully seeking help in their circumstances, we see Jesus respond with tenderness and care. Furthermore, he is powerful enough …
Weekly Reading Plan Acts is a long book, and we won’t be able to study every verse of it during each of these sessions. This reading plan will help you familiarize yourself with the entirety of the book so that you can dig more deeply into God’s Word. This week, use this reading Acts 15-21. We are peeking ahead and …
May 7, 2023 Message Big Idea I saw a creative billboard that simply said, “You know that ‘love your enemy thing’? I really meant it! – God – Sometimes we can begin to look at those who oppose the message of Christ as our enemies. We can take an adversarial posture and forget that God’s desire is for everyone to …
Weekly Reading Plan Acts is a long book, and we won’t be able to study every verse of it during each of these sessions. This reading plan will help you familiarize yourself with the entirety of the book so that you can dig more deeply into God’s Word. This week, use this reading Acts 8-12. We are peeking ahead and …
April 30, 2023 Message Big Idea Luke loves to use the word “devoted” when speaking of the new community of God’s people, the church. Devotion clearly gives the sense of a binding promise or pledge… somewhat like marriage vows. As followers of Jesus, our lives are about being devoted to God and to each other. This is serious business! In …
